There have been several underlying factors contributing to the Rangers’ freefall from a 12-4-1 start to a 3-11-0 mark since Nov. 21, including only one win in their last six entering Friday’s game in Dallas.
As they prepare to face the Stars, several of the Rangers’ supposed stars — aside from Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox — have continued to struggle. Stalwarts and longtime linemates Mika Zibanejad (six goals) and Chris Kreider (11 points) haven’t produced to previous levels, lest anyone think the trades already of former captain Jacob Trouba and former lottery pick Kaapo Kakko will solve all of the team’s most glaring issues.
Team president Chris Drury still has plenty of work to do to retool this stale roster on the fly, and second-year coach Peter Laviolette has to stop hemorrhaging losses before the season completely spirals.
Rangers beat writer Mollie Walker spoke with Sports+ from the road on Thursday to discuss the most pressing questions the Blueshirts are facing with 50 games still left on the schedule after Friday’s game in Big D.
